Carroll, a £35m January signing, has had to play virtually all of his short Anfield career without Gerrard – who was sidelined for six months in March after a groin operation. In fact, with Carroll's injury problems delaying his debut last season, the pair have been on the pitch together in just four matches. And Gerrard, Carroll and Luis Suárez, the new focal point of Liverpool's attacking options, have never started a match together.

"It was tough not having Stevie or Carra in the squad," Carroll said. "They are great players and we need them in the team once they've got over their little niggles. But we have fantastic players that can come in. The game showed we've got lads who can step in when needed and do a job. We showed what we can do. We passed it around well and deserved the three points."

On his developing partnership with Suárez, Carroll told the Liverpool Echo: "Luis is a great player who works so hard for the team and it's nice to have him up top with me. Luis drops off, gets the ball into his feet, can dribble with it and slip people in.

"I couldn't name a better player in the Premier League than Luis. He's fantastic to have in the squad. He makes chances and scores goals himself, so he's a great all-round player and he showed that again. Luis makes it easy playing alongside him. I think we played well together and hopefully that will carry on."

Carroll's start to his Liverpool career has not been as straightforward as the club's record signing would have liked, as fitness affected his early progress and he has yet to secure a regular place in the starting line-up this season.

"I've been disappointed to be sat on the bench," he added. "But when you are left out it just makes you work harder the next day in training to get your place back. We have a big squad, players come and go every week. It was a different XI at West Brom compared to the previous week and the week before that.

"Everyone is fighting hard in training for a place. I've been working hard every day to get my fitness up and to try to get a place in the team and I think I earned it. We will have to see what happens next weekend. I want to get my name in the starting XI every week."

Meanwhile, the defender Jack Robinson has signed a new long-term contract having earned a place in the first-team squad over the past six months. The 18-year-old left-back was drafted in by Kenny Dalglish towards the end of last season and has now made five appearances.

"I'm delighted," Robinson said. "There was no doubt in my mind, I was just so excited the club were offering me a contract. I've just got to keep working hard in training. I can't just sit back on this contract. I've got to keep improving and showing people what I'm about."